The Spanish legend's glittering career came to an end last November and he revealed that he has not been tempted to return to the court in any form since.

Speaking at a tribute organised by Spain's Olympic Committee, Nadal said: "I have done less sport than I would like, but I have played football again.

"It is very important to have objectives in life so as not to get bored. For me, the big satisfaction above everything else is to be able to retire in peace."

Nadal won Olympic gold at the Beijing Games in 2008 and he thanked those from his home nation for their support during a career in which he won 22 Grand Slam titles.

The former world number one said: "I am very grateful to everyone. Sincerely, I have felt the love of the people during these years. The gratitude is infinite.

"The biggest success for me was the satisfaction to achieve what I did."

Nadal spent much of his career battling Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for top honours in tennis but admits that he finds it impossible to choose which player was his toughest rival.

Speaking at Mundo Deportivo's Gran Cala, he said: "I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer; it's difficult to choose.

"My career is linked to both of them, the three of us have pushed each other to be better.

"It's true that we've taken things from each other, but it's fair to say that one of us, without the other two, wouldn't have reached the numbers that the three of us have achieved."

Nadal continued: "In some ways we have pushed ourselves to the limit in every sense.

"Physically this has harmed us quite a bit, but on a tennis and mental level it has taken us to the next level of demand and that is why we have been able to have such a long career."